La Crosse and Xcel agree to work together on “Energy Future” plans

Xcel Energy and the city of La Crosse have signed an agreement to work together on clean energy goals for the area.

Karl Hoesly, the president of the power company’s Wisconsin branch, joined La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds at City Hall on Friday for a signing ceremony. Early this year, the city passed a climate action plan, setting future dates for reducing emissions of greenhouse gas and becoming a carbon-neutral community.

Reynolds calls the agreement an excellent example of government and private business collaborating on sustainability. Hoesly says Xcel has worked with La Crosse for many years on projects such as switching the city mass transit system to all-electric buses.